LATAM Commits to AeroSHARK: “Sharkskin” Technology to Expand Across Entire Boeing 777 Fleet
LATAM Airlines Group has decided to take an additional—and structural—step in its operational efficiency and sustainability strategy: extending AeroSHARK technology to its entire Boeing 777-300ER fleet.
From Discrete Pilot Project to Full Fleet Deployment
LATAM was the first airline outside the Lufthansa Group to incorporate AeroSHARK, an aerodynamic drag reduction solution developed jointly by Lufthansa Technik and BASF Coatings.
The initial introduction was carried out in a deliberately low-key manner: in December 2023, a Boeing 777-300ER aircraft was modified without a prior public announcement. The objective was to evaluate the technology’s real-world performance in daily operations over an extended period.
After nearly a year of operation, the airline confirmed a 1% reduction in fuel consumption and emissions, aligning exactly with the manufacturer’s technical projections. Following this validation, LATAM ordered four additional kits in 2024, and the recently expanded contract adds five more, reaching a total of ten. This will allow for the progressive modernization of the group’s entire fleet of 10 Boeing 777-300ERs.
By late 2025, half of the fleet was already operating with AeroSHARK, and the plan envisions completing the modification of the last aircraft in 2027. Once this milestone is reached, LATAM will become the second airline in the world to operate an entire sub-fleet equipped with this nature-inspired technology.
→ LATAM Airlines Soars in 2025: Net Profits Reach US$1.46 billion with Over 87 Million Passengers
What is AeroSHARK and Why It Matters for a Boeing 777
AeroSHARK consists of a surface coating that replicates the microscopic structure of sharkskin, which has been optimized by evolution to reduce friction with water. In an aeronautical context, this technology translates into small longitudinal protrusions of about 50 micrometers—known as “riblets”—which are oriented with extreme precision in the direction of the airflow.
In the configuration applied to the Boeing 777-300ER, these riblets cover almost the entire fuselage and engine nacelles, equivalent to approximately 950 square meters of treated surface per aircraft. The result is a proven 1% reduction in aerodynamic drag. While this value may seem marginal, it has significant economic and environmental consequences in long-haul operations.
Operational Impact: Fuel, Emissions, and Real Scale
When LATAM’s entire Boeing 777 fleet is equipped with AeroSHARK, the airline estimates annual savings of up to 4,000 metric tons of aviation fuel and a reduction of 12,000 metric tons of CO₂ emissions. To put this into operational perspective, that volume of emissions is approximately equivalent to 56 scheduled flights between São Paulo and Miami on a Boeing 777.
These figures illustrate why incremental efficiency solutions, when applied at scale, are gaining prominence in the industry—especially in widebody fleets where every percentage point has a considerable cumulative impact.
LATAM’s Strategic Vision
From the airline’s perspective, this decision is not presented as an isolated gesture but as part of a long-term roadmap. Nicolás Seitz, Head of Fleet and Projects at LATAM Airlines Group, emphasized that the expansion of AeroSHARK is a concrete example of how the company combines innovation, operational efficiency, and sustainability, relying on measurable results before scaling solutions across the fleet.
This emphasis on “proven results” reflects a pragmatic approach, which is particularly relevant in a context where many sustainability technologies are still in early stages or depend on regulatory and market assumptions.
Lufthansa Technik and the Future of AeroSHARK
For the provider, the project with LATAM also holds symbolic value. Petra Lahme, Head of Product Sales for Original Equipment Innovation at Lufthansa Technik, highlighted the South American airline’s pioneering spirit and anticipated the completion of the fleet modification within the next two years.
In parallel, Lufthansa Technik and BASF continue to develop AeroSHARK with two clear objectives:
- Expanding Certifications: Increasing the number of Supplemental Type Certificates (STC), currently available for the Boeing 777-200ER, 777-300ER, 777F, and 747-400.
- New Models: Extending the technology to new models, with the first application on an Airbus aircraft scheduled for 2026, specifically the A330ceo.
Furthermore, work is underway to increase the aircraft surface areas that can be treated. According to initial calculations, this could lead to potential savings of between 2% and 3% in a maximum expansion phase.
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